Gloria Belle launched her musical career in the foothills of East Tennessee where bluegrass roots run deep. She made her first appearances on WBIR Television in Knoxville in the early 1960's and was a regular member of the Cas Walker show. Her first singing partner was Danny Bailey of the legendary Bailey Brothers. Gloria performed in Maggie Valley, North Carolina at Ghost Town with such artists as Raymond Fairchild, the "King of the Smoky Mountain Banjo Pickers."

Gloria moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the late 1960's where she became a member of Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys. She appeared with Jimmy's band on the Grand Ole Opry and can be heard singing the high baritone part on many of Jimmy's recordings of the 1970's. In the mid 70's Gloria was part of Jimmy Martin's only tour of Japan. She had the great honor of singing on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's million-selling album Will the Circle Be Unbroken that was made in the 1970's. She was in the Reunion of Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys videos that were made in 1987 at Frontier Ranch in Columbus, Ohio and in 1999 at the Bill Monroe Memorial Park in Bean Blossom, Indiana

One of the highlights of Gloria's career came in 1999 when she became one of the few women to ever be presented the Distinguished Achievement Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). This award represents a lifetime of dedication and contributions to bluegrass music. In 2001 the IBMA bestowed another honor on Gloria when she received the Recorded Event of the Year award for her participation in Follow Me Back to the Fold: A Tribute to Women in Bluegrass.

Gloria currently fronts her own band Gloria Belle and Tennessee Sunshine and has released three recent projects, two of which are traditional bluegrass gospel.

Career Highlights
Like many bluegrass singers and musicians before me, I first started singing in churches with my mother and dad. My first time to sing on radio was on W.F.M.D., Frederick, Maryland at the age of 3, standing on a chair to reach the microphone; singing gospel music with my parents. First influence during teen-age years: Bailey Bros. on W.W.V.A. Wheeling Jamboree.

-First professional job started September 1960 on Cas Walker Radio and TV shows.

-Summer of June 1965 appeared at Ghost Town, Maggie Valley North Carolina 6 days a week. (with Raymond Fairchild)

-April, 1966- became a member of Betty Amos’s All- Girl Band: appearing regularly on the W.W.V.A. Wheeling Jamboree

-In 1967- a Maryland band that lost their leader in a car accident, asked me to take his place. I accepted and changed the name to Green Mt. Travelers.

-In 1968- I moved to Tennessee to work full- time for Jimmy Martin. Recorded " Milwaukee Here I Come" with him.

-In 1973- I went to work with Charlie Monroe on the B.G. Festival circuit.

-In 1975- went to Japan with Jimmy Martin Show.

-In 1980- went back to Knoxville, Tennessee to be a regular on the Cas Walker Shows with Danny Bailey of the Bailey Bros.

-In 1982- played the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee with the Bailey Bros. and with the shows during their All- Girl Week. Also did many tourist shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Osie Ownby, brother to "Oswald" Ray Acuff’s dobro- player.

-In 1990- formed my own band, Gloria Belle and Tennessee Sunshine.


Email (booking@gloriabelle.com) or call (615-834-2139) today!